title: Competence and competency-based nursing education: finding our way through the issues.
abstract: The language of competence is widely utilized in both the regulation of nursing practice and curricular design in nursing education. The notion of competence defines what it means to be a professional, although it is not the only way of describing nursing practice. Unfortunately, there is much confusion about the concepts of competence, competency, and competency-based education. As well, the notion of competence, despite its global popularity, has flaws. In this paper we will disentangle these terms and critique the use of competence frameworks in nursing education.
authors.affiliation: University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4 Canada. Electronic address: em.pijlzieber@uleth.ca.
authors.forename: Em M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Pijl-Zieber
authors.affiliation: University of Alberta, Level 3, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, 11405 87 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1C9 Canada.
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barton
authors.affiliation: University of Alberta, WC Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2R7 Canada.
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Konkin
authors.affiliation: University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4 Canada.
authors.forename: Olu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Awosoga
authors.affiliation: University of Alberta, Level 3, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, 11405 87 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1C9 Canada.
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Caine
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004506:Education, Nursing; D013338:Students, Nursing
keywords: Competence; Competency-based education; Nursing; Students; Undergraduate nursing education